It's important that you are aware of your rights, so that you do not miss out on your entitlements.

When your employment ends, you should be paid out all of your annual leave and long service leave entitlements (if you have been employed at the same workplace for seven years or more).

You are not entitled to any unused sick leave.

Also check that your employer has been paying your superannuation into your nominated fund.

Unless you were dismissed for serious misconduct, you should also be given notice or pay in lieu of notice.

The amount of notice required varies depending on how long you were employed.

You have six years to pursue claims for underpayment of wages (including failure to pay your annual leave, as well as shift allowances and so on).

It can be helpful to keep a diary entry of days and hours worked as evidence to substantiate these claims.

If you have been made redundant, you may be entitled to redundancy pay.

The number of weeks paid varies depending on how long you were employed.

If you have been employed for at least six months (or 12 months if your workplace employs less than 15 employees) and you have been dismissed in circumstances which are harsh, unjust or unreasonable, you may be able to make an unfair dismissal claim, seeking either compensation or you can apply to have your job reinstated.

It's also unlawful for your employer to take adverse action (such as dismissing you or demoting you) on the basis of exercising a workplace right and it is unlawful for them to discriminate against you (eg on the basis age, sex, disability etc).

It's important that you seek legal advice early, as you only have 21 days to make an unfair dismissal application after you lose your job.

This deadline can only be extended in very limited circumstances.

You can find out more information on your rights and entitlements by visiting the Fair Work Ombudsman's website at www.fairwork.gov.au